Athletic Trainer (Men's Basketball)

The US Air Force Academy Athletic Department has a very unique and challenging mission of contributing to the preparation of tomorrow's leaders. We do this by providing realistic leadership experience in an environment that is both mentally and physically challenging. Through athletic competition, we are able to prepare tomorrow's warriors for challenges they will meet as commissioned officers in the United States Air Force or Space Force. This "forged in fire" concept lays the fundamental foundation of courage, strength, and discipline that they will take with them as they become the defenders of our great nation.

The Athletic Department’s Sports Medicine Division is a unified team of high-performance professionals, committed to developing the future leaders of the Air and Space Forces. We elevate cadet athletic performance, operational readiness, and long-term well-being across physical, mental, and emotional domains. Championship culture is our shared standard. We take ownership, lead by example, seek to understand, and embrace continuous improvement. We embody teamwork and create impact through every interaction, championing cross-disciplinary collaboration to solve complex problems, adapt to challenges, and innovate in pursuit of peak performance.

The Sports Medicine Division, comprised of Athletic Training, Strength and Conditioning, Performance Science, Performance Nutrition, and Performance Psychology is seeking a highly qualified Performance Nutrition Professional who demonstrates high character and a commitment to the Core Values of the Academy…”Integrity, Service, and Excellence” and who demonstrates professional qualities and commitment consistent with the goals and values of the Athletic Department and the Sports Medicine Division.

Compensation

·       Salary Range: $76,650 - $91,870

·       Eligible for overtime, premium pay, and performance-based incentives, in accordance with applicable policies.

·       Comprehensive benefits package consistent with Department of the Air Force Government Civilian employment standards.

Job Description 

The United States Air Force Academy Athletic Department is seeking a highly qualified Athletic Trainer to support the Division I Men’s Basketball program. This position is dedicated to Men’s Basketball, delivering high-quality, evidence-based allied health care services, including emergency and acute injury/illness triage, comprehensive evaluation, treatment, rehabilitation, injury prevention, physical performance testing and training, and thorough documentation and tracking of injuries and illnesses. The role also contributes to physical performance, readiness, and rehabilitation efforts to enhance resilience, optimize human performance, and ensure mission effectiveness and operational readiness.

Depending on experience and organizational needs, this position may also serve in a supervisory capacity. In this role, the Athletic Trainer would provide leadership, planning, direction, and oversight for a team of athletic trainers supporting other intercollegiate sports. Responsibilities may include mentoring and developing staff, assisting with the implementation of policies and procedures, supporting the safety and functionality of athletic medicine facilities and equipment, and contributing to scheduling, resource allocation, education, and performance management. This position reports directly to the Head Athletic Trainer.

Duties

• Prevention, evaluation, treatment and rehabilitation of injured student-athletes.

• Coordinate physician appointments, referred care and rehabilitation for all assigned student-athletes.

• Provide written and verbal follow-ups to Head Coaches regarding student-athlete medical care and participation status.  Serves as Liaison between the team physicians and Head Coaches.

• Ensure practice/game preparation and coverage for assigned athletic teams.

• Travel with assigned teams as needed.

• Oversee the coordination and scheduling of game and practice coverage (home and away) for subordinate Sports Medicine Staff.

• Assist with maintenance, review, and staff compliance with Sports Medicine Policies and Protocols.

• Assist with organizing and distributing supplies within the Sports Medicine Department.

• Assist in the maintenance, security, and accountability of Sports Medicine facilities and equipment.

• Oversee quality and compliance of the medical treatment, rehabilitation, physician and prescription records for subordinate staff care of student-athletes.

• Perform other assigned administrative duties.

Expectations

Work closely with sports medicine, athletic development, and sports science staff to ensure a holistic approach to athlete care and recovery.

Uphold respected and trusting relationships among student-athletes, performance staff, and coaching staff.

Be knowledgeable of and comply with all applicable NCAA, conference, and institutional rules and regulations.

Maintains knowledge of departmental activities, sports schedules, and procedures.

Maintains professional competency and skills required for professional practice, including state licensure, Board of Certification (BOC), CPR / AED for the professional rescuer, and credentialing with the installation Medical Facility.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in athletic training, health science, or related field required. 

• Current Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer (BOC)

• CPR/AED certification

• Immediate eligibility for Licensure as Athletic Trainer (LATC) in state of Colorado

• Minimum of 5 years of experience as Certified and Licensed Athletic Trainer working within collegiate athletics.

Preferred Qualifications

·       Athletic Training experience of 8 years or more working in collegiate, Olympic national team, or professional athletics environments with at least 3 years of experience in Division 1 athletics.  Prior experience with collegiate or professional basketball is preferred.

·       Demonstrated history of success in increasing levels of supervisory or management responsibility.  Prior experience working in or with government personnel systems is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

1. Professional knowledge of musculoskeletal and systemic anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, biomechanics, psychology, pharmacology, pathology, as well as knowledge of emergency care procedures, human behavior theories, motivational strategies, and various therapeutic modalities (e.g., electrical stimulation, iontophoresis, phonophoresis, cryotherapy, thermotherapies, therapeutic massage, manual therapies, exercise protocols, athletic taping, instrument assisted manual therapy techniques, dry needling and/or other approved modalities) sufficient to determine appropriate treatment, rehabilitation and/or reconditioning strategies.

2. Knowledge of cadet athlete personnel and student physical requirements sufficient to develop, implement, manage, and evaluate a multi-faceted Athletic Training program for the population served.

3. Ability to plan, organize and direct the functions and staff of a small to medium sized organization. Completes required actions in a clear and concise manner effectively communicating in both oral and written formats.

4. Knowledge of a wide variety of injuries and acute/subacute/chronic conditions caused by intense training and resulting impairments/functional limitations, common diseases, prognosis, medication, treatment methods, physiological response to injury and illness, disease response to exercise, and any medical terminology.

5. Skill in administering health screening and fitness assessments, exercise prescriptions, progressive individual physical activity programs, and proper exercise techniques.

6. Skill in fitting adaptive equipment, advanced orthoses and braces, prophylactic and protective equipment, and other assistive and therapeutic devices.

7. Skill in health communication strategies to effectively promote a comprehensive physical activity program as well as skill in verbal and written communication to consult with other health care providers, counsel athletes/patients, and serve as a consultant to leadership.

Other significant facts pertaining to this position are:

1. At a minimum, qualification requirements stipulated by the US Office of Personnel Management (OPM) for the GS-0601 occupational series must be met.

2. Must possess and maintain national certification with the Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer and maintain a current state licensure, registration, certification from a US jurisdiction.  Must establish Athletic Training licensure in state of Colorado at time of employment.

3. Specialty certifications are desired such as: (a) National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS); (b) American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Certified Health Fitness Specialist (HFS); (c) Certified in Functional Movement Screening (FMS); (d) Graston Techniques (GT); (e) Kinesio Taping Practitioner (CKTP); (f) National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) Certified Performance Enhancement Specialist (PES); and (g) Dry Needling (DN).

4. Must maintain credentials as required by local Military Treatment Facility (MTF) guidance. Employee must be able to receive/maintain credentials/medical staff appointment as an athletic trainer by the MTF credentials office, to include participation in ongoing peer review and accreditation required initial and recurrent training.

5. Employee may be required to work, travel and/or be on-call after normal duty hours, which includes evenings, weekends, and holidays.

6. A Master’s degree in Athletic Training or relevant Allied Health or Human Performance related focus or Doctorate in Athletic Training (DAT) is highly desired.

7. Writing skills comparable to academic publications is highly desired.

8. Must possess and maintain current certification in CPR / AED for the professional rescuer.

9. This position has been designated by the Air Force as a Testing Designated Position (TDP) under the Air Force Civilian Drug Demand Reduction Program. Employee must pass initial and periodic short notice drug testing. Illegal drug use by employees in sensitive positions presents a clear threat to the mission of the Air Force, national security, and public safety.

10. This is a Mission-Essential position performing a Mission-Critical-Function which must continue uninterrupted after the occurrence of an emergency and continued through full resumption of all functions.

Requirements / Conditions of Employment

• Must be a U.S. citizen

• Must successfully complete a background investigation with favorable results

• Must possess a valid driver’s license and be able to operate a motor vehicle

Application Instructions

To apply, please submit the following required documents via email to Ms. Diem Villanueva, Associate Athletic Director, Human Capital Management, at Diem.Villanueva@afacademy.af.edu:

• Resume

• Three professional references with contact information (at least one must be a current employer)

• Letter of interest

Applications are due by 28 April 2026